A rare event - this red-necked spurfowl stood around long enough for me to get a few pictures. It was also part of my re-education on bird names, as it was previously classified as a francolin. Up until a few weeks ago I still called them francolin and in fact I posted a picture of a "francolin", not too long ago - that of course was before my re-education started. I suppose I will have go and correct that post one day.
A very different and interesting looking bird.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo - it looks so close, I can see every feather!
ReplyDeleteHow large are these birds? Looking at the photo I imagine it to be the same size as a grouse. I also imagine the sound it makes to be a little raucous. Have I guessed correctly - or does it have the elegant vocals of a nightingale?!
Ralph it is the size of a small chicken and its voice is anything but sweet. Very strident
ReplyDeleteIs it wrong that my first thought is: "He looks DELICIOUS!"?
ReplyDeleteRoland,it is many years since I ate one of these and they are DELICIOUS - a bit tough if not cooked properly. I gave up hunting over 30 years ago so will probably never eat one again - I prefer to see them in the wild.
ReplyDeleteWhen did it change it's name?
ReplyDeleteI just can't keep up with all the name changes...
Potato Potato... (Well when you write this down it doesn't make sense). And in Afrikaans it is called a Fisant, which confuses the issue even more.
ReplyDeletePamela I am not sure. Bought my first edition of Roberts Birds of Sa in about 1985, so any time after that the name coulf have been changed
ReplyDeleteFirefly I started out life calling it a pheaasant, then progressed to francolin and now have to adjust to spurwing. The Afrikaans is much simpler - maybe I'll stick to fisant.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is he reminds me of a lot of different birds, but doesn't actually look like any of them. Sure is a nice photo.
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